Full Day Salmon Fishing in Oregon's Top Bays
Private Trip
River Fishing
Private 8hour salmon fishing trip for up to four guestsBeginnerfriendly instruction on trolling techniques and gear handlingActive salmon season from midAugust through midOctober
Captain Kyle's 8-hour salmon fishing adventure takes you to some of Oregon's most productive waters - Coquille Bay or Winchester Bay - depending on where the fish are biting best. This private charter is built for beginners and small groups who want to learn proper salmon fishing without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. Running from mid-August through mid-October, you'll be fishing during one of the coast's hottest salmon runs when both Chinook and Coho are moving through these fertile estuaries in serious numbers.
Your day starts early when Captain Kyle picks the best bay based on current conditions, tides, and recent fishing reports. He's been working these waters for years and knows exactly where to position the boat for success. This isn't a cattle-boat operation - with just four anglers max, everyone gets personalized attention and plenty of room to fish comfortably. Captain Kyle takes time to explain everything from reading your rod tip to proper net technique, so even first-timers leave feeling confident about their skills. The boat is equipped with quality gear, but experienced anglers are welcome to bring their own rods if they prefer. Weather can change quickly on the Oregon coast, so layers and rain gear are always smart choices, even on sunny mornings.
Salmon fishing here is all about trolling - a technique that covers water efficiently while presenting lures at the right depth and speed. Captain Kyle runs a spread of downriggers and divers to get your gear down where the salmon are cruising. You'll learn how different lures work at various depths and speeds, plus how to feel the difference between a salmon strike and just dragging bottom. The captain provides all terminal tackle, including proven local favorites like hoochies, spoons, and cut-plug herring rigs that consistently produce fish in these bays. He'll show you how to work the rod when a fish hits and coach you through the fight so you can land more salmon successfully. These aren't massive open-ocean fish, but bay salmon still pack plenty of fight and require proper technique to boat consistently.
Chinook salmon are the prize catch in these Oregon bays, with most fish running 15-25 pounds of pure muscle and attitude. These kings move through the bays in waves during late summer and early fall, staging before their final push upriver to spawn. What makes Chinook special is their size and the way they fight - long, powerful runs that test your drag and patience. The meat is rich and oily, perfect for grilling or smoking, and there's nothing quite like the satisfaction of landing your first king salmon. Coho salmon bring a different kind of excitement to the trip, typically weighing 8-15 pounds but making up for size with acrobatic fights that include jumps, tail walks, and blistering surface runs. Silver salmon are aggressive biters that often hit lures hard and fast, giving anglers that heart-stopping moment when the rod doubles over. Their bright silver sides and energetic battles make them a customer favorite, plus they're excellent table fare with firm, flaky meat that's perfect for a variety of cooking methods.
This top-rated Oregon salmon fishing experience books up quickly during peak season, especially weekends when the fishing is hot. Captain Kyle's personalized approach and knowledge of local waters make this trip a standout choice for anyone wanting to learn proper salmon fishing techniques while actually catching fish. The 8-hour format gives you plenty of time to master the basics without feeling rushed, and the small group size ensures everyone gets hands-on instruction. Remember that deposits are non-refundable, so contact Captain Kyle before booking to discuss dates, conditions, and what to expect for your specific trip. Whether you're a complete beginner or just new to salmon fishing, this charter delivers the perfect combination of education, action, and Oregon coastal fishing at its finest.
Captain Kyle's 2003 Thunder Jet aluminum boat is built for Oregon's coastal waters and perfect for chasing salmon in Coquille Bay and Winchester Bay. This 19-footer handles the river currents with ease thanks to its reliable 175HP Mercury engine, giving you a stable platform for trolling without the bounce of smaller boats. The GPS keeps you on productive waters while the fish finder helps locate those salmon schools hiding in the deeper channels. With room for four anglers, there's plenty of space to work your lines without tangling up with your buddies. The aluminum construction cuts through Oregon's choppy bay waters smoothly, so you can focus on your technique instead of fighting seasickness. Whether you're learning to troll for the first time or just want a comfortable day targeting chinook and coho during peak season, this boat gets you where the fish are biting.
Oncorhynchus TshawytschaKing salmon are the giants of the salmon world, and around Winchester Bay and Coquille Bay, we see fish ranging from 12-30 pounds during our August through October season. These silver-sided beauties with blue-green backs love deeper water and tend to stay near the bottom, which is why we focus on trolling with downriggers. Chinooks are powerful fighters that make long, strong runs when hooked. What really sets them apart is their rich, orange-pink meat - some of the best eating fish in the Pacific. The fall run timing lines up perfectly with cooler weather and active fish. Here's a local trick: when we're marking fish but they're not biting, I'll switch to a slower troll speed and drop the gear another 10 feet. Kings often sit just below where you think they should be, and that patience pays off with these trophy fish.
Oncorhynchus KisutchSilver salmon are pure energy on the end of your line. These acrobatic fighters average 8-12 pounds in our local waters and are famous for their jumping ability - they can leap 6 feet straight up when hooked. You'll find cohos in the upper water column compared to kings, often holding in 20-40 feet of water around structure and drop-offs. During our mid-August to mid-October season, they're aggressive and willing to chase lures. What makes cohos special is their bright orange-red meat and their spectacular aerial shows. They're perfect for beginners because they bite readily and put on a show. My go-to trick for stubborn silvers is switching to bright pink or chartreuse spoons and speeding up the troll just a bit. Sometimes that extra flash and speed triggers strikes when they're being picky. These fish make every trip memorable.
Oregon